Apparatus and method for selectively enabling vehicle functionality

ABSTRACT

A method is provided. The method comprises receiving a travel plan for a vehicle including a travel path information; determining a vehicle trajectory using the travel path information; obtaining forecasts of at least one of weather and vehicles proximate in time and location to the vehicle along the vehicle trajectory; determining, based upon at least one of the weather forecast and the other vehicles forecast, if at least one optional function would be beneficial to enable during vehicle travel along the vehicle trajectory; and generating at least one enablement code corresponding to the determined at least one optional function.

BACKGROUND

Modern aircraft avionics systems offer a sophisticated and expansivesuite of control, monitoring, and processing functions which can be usedduring aircraft flight. The control, monitoring, and processingfunctions can be uniquely specified in a system configuration module (or‘aircraft personality module’) that is part of the aircraft avionicssystem. Thus, avionics system manufacturers can manufacture a singlesystem but customize an enabled subset of the available features throughprogramming the system configuration module.

However, depending on circumstances, for some aircraft flights it may bebeneficial to enable other functionality for just those flights.Manually determining which functions to enable, and manually enablingthe functions is time consuming, and not easily done. Not only wouldpersonnel need to determine which functions to enable, but would have tomodify, e.g. an aircraft personality module, to enable such functions.Typically, this would have to be accomplished when an aircraft isdisembarking and embarking passengers and/or cargo. Therefore, there isa need to more efficiently determine additional functionality to enable,and to enable such functionality.

SUMMARY

A method is provided. The method comprises receiving a travel plan for avehicle including a travel path information; determining a vehicletrajectory using the travel path information; obtaining forecasts of atleast one of weather and vehicles proximate in time and location to thevehicle along the vehicle trajectory; determining, based upon at leastone of the weather forecast and the other vehicles forecast, if at leastone optional function would be beneficial to enable during vehicletravel along the vehicle trajectory; and generating at least oneenablement code corresponding to the determined at least one optionalfunction.

DRAWINGS

Understanding that the drawings depict only exemplary embodiments andare not therefore to be considered limiting in scope, the exemplaryembodiments will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a system thatincludes a vehicle with at least one optional function that can beselectively enabled;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of the vehicle thatincludes at least one optional function that can be selectively enabled;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a serviceprovider system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method forselectively enabling optional functions on a vehicle; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method ofdetermining which optional function(s) to selectively enable.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features arenot drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevantto the exemplary embodiments. Reference characters denote like elementsthroughout figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific illustrative embodiments. However, it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural, mechanical, and electrical changes may be made. Furthermore,the method presented in the drawing figures and the specification is notto be construed as limiting the order in which the individual steps maybe performed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not tobe taken in a limiting sense.

A processing system, on a vehicle and coupled to a communications systemon the vehicle, used to enable one or more optional functions (optionalfunction(s)) in systems on the vehicle may be used to overcome the abovereferenced problems. The vehicle's processing system may be a travel,e.g. flight, computer and/or any other processing system(s) on thevehicle. The embodiments of the invention have at least one advantage.Optional function(s) can be automatically selected and enabled basedupon a vehicle trajectory (which shall be subsequently described).

Enable and enabled utilized with respect to an optional function shallmean that the optional function, depending upon context, is, has been,or may or will be activated so that it can be used, but does notnecessarily mean that the optional function is, has been, or may or willbe used. Use and used utilized with respect to an optional functionshall mean that the optional function, depending upon context, is, hasbeen, or may or will be utilized, but only after the optional functionhas been enabled. Optionally, optional function(s) can be remotelyenabled, e.g. by a service provider system.

In one embodiment, the vehicle's processing system, or even anotherprocessing system, such as portable computing system such as anelectronic flight bag, that is not part of the vehicle, is used, e.g. byan vehicle user, e.g. a pilot or driver, or vehicle owner, such as anairline, to submit travel plan information, including travel pathinformation, about forthcoming travel of the vehicle. In anotherembodiment, the vehicle travel plan is provided by the owner or user ofthe vehicle prior to the vehicle's departure. The travel plan isdirectly or indirectly conveyed to a service provider system and/or thevehicle processing system. In one embodiment, the travel planinformation is submitted to a service provider such as HoneywellInternational Inc.'s GoDirect Flight Services system.

Optionally, the vehicle travel plan is also provided by the abovedescribed means to governmental entities of the regions and/or countrieswhere the vehicle will be travelling. For example, when the vehicle isan aircraft, the airline or pilot submits the vehicle travel plan, i.e.an aircraft flight plan, to governmental entities, e.g. the U.S. FederalAviation Administration (FAA), of the regions and/or countries overwhich the aircraft will travel.

In one embodiment, each vehicle travel plan includes an identifier ofthe vehicle, information about the vehicle (e.g. manufacturer and typeof vehicle, color and any special equipment on the vehicle), expectedspeed of the vehicle, departure location (or departure terminal) andtime, travel path information (e.g. for aircraft: cruising altitude,airways, and waypoints), and arrival location(s) (or destination(s) orterminal(s)) and time, estimated time en route, fuel on board, alternatearrival locations (or destination(s) or terminal(s)) in case ofinclement weather, type of travel (e.g. for aircraft: Whether instrumentflight rules (IFR) or visual flight rules (VFR) apply), information(e.g. name) about the user (e.g. pilot) and/or owner of the vehicle(e.g. pilot), and number of people on board the vehicle. The term‘travel information’ shall mean the expected speed of the vehicle, thedeparture location (or departure terminal) and time, the travel pathinformation (e.g. for aircraft: cruising altitude, airways, andwaypoints), the arrival location(s) (or destination(s) or terminal(s))and time, estimated time en route, and fuel on board.

The service provider system or the vehicle processing system obtainsinformation about weather and other vehicle traffic proximate to whenand where the vehicle will be travelling along its vehicle trajectory;as will be described below the vehicle trajectory is determined from thevehicle's travel path information. Based upon this information, theservice provider system or vehicle processing system may identifyoptional function(s) to be enabled. If optional function(s) to beenabled are identified, the service provider system transmits to thevehicle, e.g. the vehicle processing system, at least one enablementcode(s). Enablement code, as used herein, means data configured toenable at least one optional function on systems on the vehicle.Alternatively, the vehicle processing system generates, or obtains froma service provider system, such enablement code(s). Optionally, theenablement code(s) are communicated, e.g. over a data bus in the vehicleto corresponding systems to enable the optional function(s). Onceenabled, the optional function(s) can be used by the crew and/or systemsof the vehicle.

Using such as system, optional function(s) can be enabled only whenneeded during the travel of the vehicle, e.g. for finite periods of timefor example when travelling between a departure location and an arrivallocation. As a result, the vehicle, e.g. avionics, system manufacturerscan reduce the initial system cost, and charge for optional function(s)on a usage basis only when the optional function(s) are enabled and/orused. As a result, owners and/or users of vehicles, such as aircraft,can initially more readily afford feature rich avionics equipment whichwould improve their vehicles' efficiency and safety. Although thepresent invention is exemplified as being used in an aircraft, it isenvisioned that it can be used in other vehicles including withoutlimitation automobiles, buses, trains, and any other vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a system 100that includes a vehicle with at least one optional function that can beselectively enabled (vehicle) 101. The system further includes at leastone operations system (operations system(s) or OS) 104 and a serviceprovider system (SPS) 106. In another embodiment, the vehicle 101,operations system(s) 104, and the service provider system 106 areinterconnected by respective communications links 108 a, 108 b, 108 c.The operations system 104 and the service provider system 106 may eachbe alternatively referred to as a remote system.

In yet another embodiment, at least one first communications link (firstcommunications link(s)) 108 a and a second communications link 108 bcommunicatively couple the vehicle 101 respectively to the operationssystem(s) 104 and the service provider system 106. At least one thirdcommunications link (third communications link(s)) 108 c couples theoperation system(s) 104 to the service provider system(s) 106.

Each of the first communications link(s) 108 a, the secondcommunications link 108 b, and the third communications link(s) 108 cincludes wireless and/or wired communications links. A wireless network,e.g., permits communications to a moving or stationary vehicle 101 whena wired connection is impractical. Such wireless communications networksmay be formed, for example, by one or more of HF, VHF, cellular,satellite, IEEE802.11 compliant, AeroMACs, WiMAX, and/or any otherappropriate wireless communications network(s). In a further embodiment,the operations system(s) 104 and the service provider system 106 may beconnected by one or more communications links (communications link(s))108 a including wireless and/or wired networks. An example of a wirednetwork is the Internet, although other wired networks such as dedicatedT-carrier lines can be used.

Optionally, as will be further described below, the operations system104 transmits at least one enablement code (enablement code(s)) 110 tothe vehicle 101. Such enablement code(s) 110 facilitate remotelyenabling at least one optional function (optional function(s)) in thevehicle 101. In one embodiment, the enablement code(s) 110 may onlyenable one corresponding function. In another embodiment, an enablementcode 110 may enable more than one function. In a further embodiment,such enablement code(s) 110 can be encrypted. In a further embodiment,such encrypted enablement code(s) are decrypted in equipment in thevehicle 101 becoming decrypted enablement code(s), or enablementcode(s). In yet another embodiment, as will be further described below,the vehicle 101 transmits confirmation data 112 to the service providersystem 106. The confirmation data 112 indicates which optionalfunction(s), enabled with enablement codes, were used during travel ofthe vehicle 101 from a departure point to a destination point. Foraircraft, the departure point and destination point would be airports.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of the vehicle 201that has at least one optional function that can be selectively enabled.The vehicle 201 includes a vehicle processing system 220 coupled to avehicle communications system 222 and other vehicle system(s) 226.Optionally, the vehicle processing system 220 is coupled to at least oneinput/output system (I/O(s)) 224. Optionally, the vehicle processingsystem 220 is coupled to at least one sensor (sensor(s)) 228. In oneembodiment, the vehicle processing system 220 may be the vehiclecomputer, e.g. a flight computer. Optionally, the vehicle processingsystem 220, vehicle communications system 222, other vehicle system(s)226, I/O(s) 224, and/or the sensor(s) 228 are coupled to one anotherthrough the one or more data buses (data bus(es)) 225.

The vehicle communications system 222 includes wireless communicationssystem(s). The wireless communications systems may include, for exampleone or more of HF, VHF, cellular, satellite, IEEE802.11 compliant,AeroMACS, WiMAX, and/or any other appropriate wireless communicationssystem(s).

Optional function(s) 223A, 223B, which will be subsequently exemplified,that may be remotely enabled are located in the other vehicle system(s)226 and/or the vehicle processing system 220. In one embodiment, foraircraft, the other vehicle system(s) 226 include a flight managementsystem used to determine and maintain the trajectory of the vehicle 201from its departure point to its destination point, an electronic flightinstrument system used to determine and/or display flight parameterssuch as altitude and environmental data, a synthetic vision system usedto generate a simulated view from the cockpit of the vehicle 201, and/oran airport moving map system. The synthetic vision system generates anelectronic image that is a two dimensional rendering of a threedimensional view of what the pilot should see, e.g. terrain, structures,and runways, from the cockpit, and is useful in bad weather. The airportmoving map system visually illustrates runways, taxi ways, airportstructures, and signs a various airports which can aid departure andarrival at an airport; the visual illustration may be a two dimensionalview or a three dimensional rendering, e.g. using the synthetic visionsystem. The synthetic vision system and/or moving map are displayed onat least one dedicated display that is part of at least one of thosesystems, or on a display that is part of the I/O(s) 224.

The vehicle communications system 220 is used to transmit and receivedata, e.g., respectively to and from operations system(s) 104, theservice provider system 106, or other vehicles. In one embodiment, thevehicle communications system 220 is one or more wireless communicationssystems such as HF, VHF, satellite communication, cellular radiotransceivers, and/or other communications systems. Optionally,enablement code(s) 110 are communicated from the service provider system106 to the vehicle communications system 220. In such an embodiment, thevehicle communications system 220 distributes the enablement code(s) 110directly, over the data bus(es) 225, to the other vehicle system(s) 226and/or the vehicle processing system 220 having optional function(s)223A, 223B to be enabled. Alternatively, the enablement code(s) 110 arerouted through the vehicle processing system 220, e.g. then to the othervehicle system(s) 226 to enable optional function(s) in those othervehicle system(s) 226; such routing can also be performed over the databus(es) 225. In one embodiment, the data bus(es) 225 is at least oneARINC 429 data bus.

The I/O(s) 224 facilitate inputting and outputting, e.g. displaying,data respectively to and from the vehicle processing system 220, othervehicle system(s) 226), the vehicle communications system 222, and/orthe sensor(s) 228. The I/O(s) 224 may include one or more of display(s)(such as a touch screen display), cursor control device(s) (such asmouse or a joy stick), a key board, and any other type of input/outputdevice.

The sensor(s) 228 provide environmental information, and may include oneor more of a weather RADAR, an automatic dependence surveillance (ADSreceiver) such as an ADS-B receiver that receives information aboutproximate aircraft and weather, a radar altimeter, an aneroid barometer,a pitot tube, a GPS system, a temperature sensor, and sensor.

The vehicle processing system 220 is implemented as a state machine. Inone embodiment, the vehicle processing system 220 may be implementedwith one or more processors coupled to one or more memories.

In one embodiment, the vehicle processing system 220 includes afunctions database 220A which includes a list of optional function(s) inthe vehicle which can be, e.g. remotely, enabled and disabled. In oneembodiment, the functions database 220A is stored in one or morememories of the vehicle processing system 220. The functions database212 includes a list of optional function(s) of the vehicle processingsystem 220 and/or the other vehicle system(s) 226. Database as usedherein means a conventional database, data files, or any other datastorage scheme.

The vehicle processing system 220 includes a vehicle function analysissystem 220B. During travel of the vehicle 201 between a departure pointand a destination point, the systems with optional function(s)communicate with the vehicle function analysis system 220B identifyingwhich enabled functions have been used by the vehicle crew and/orvehicle systems during such travel. If an optional function is enabledand/or used during the travel of the vehicle 101 between a departurepoint and a destination point, the vehicle function analysis system 220Bmodifies the vehicle database 220A to indicate such enablement andusage. Upon arriving at a destination point, if at least one optionalfunction has been enabled and used, the vehicle function analysis system220B transmits, through the vehicle communications system 222 to theservice provider system 106, information, e.g. vehicle identifier (e.g.aircraft tail number, departure time, arrival time, and/or functionsenabled and/or used. Optionally, the vehicle function analysis system220B receive enablement code(s) 110 from the service provider system 106and distributes them to the corresponding vehicle system; optionally inthis embodiment, the functions database may include information, such asthe enablement code(s) and corresponding systems, that assists thevehicle function analysis system 220B to distribute the enablementcode(s) 110 to the appropriate vehicle system(s).

Optionally, the vehicle function analysis system 220B ascertains, ratherthen a service provider system 106, based on weather and trafficinformation which optional function(s) on the vehicle 201 is beneficialto be enabled based upon weather and traffic conditions along thevehicle trajectory. Beneficial means that it enhances the safety of thevehicle 201, eases the work load of the vehicle crew, and/or improvesthe quality of travel for the passengers and/or crew of the vehicle 201.The vehicle function analysis system 220B obtains the weather andtraffic information from operations system(s) 104, as described above,and/or the service provider system 106 (which may have obtained suchinformation from the operations system(s) 104 and/or from othervehicle(s)). In one embodiment, weather and traffic information, andtravel plan information, e.g. travel path information, may be stored inone or more databases in the vehicle processing system 220. An exemplarytechnique for the implementation of the function analysis system isillustrated below.

In one embodiment, the vehicle function analysis system 220B or thefunctions database 220A include the enablement code(s) 110. In thelatter case, the vehicle function analysis system 220B obtains theenablement code(s) 110 from the functions database 220A. The vehiclefunction analysis system 220B can transmit the enablement code(s) 110 tovehicle systems to enable optional function(s) that it determines isbeneficial to be enabled based upon the weather and/or traffic data.Alternatively, the vehicle function analysis system 220B requests andobtains the enablement code(s) 110 from a service provider center 106.

Optionally, the vehicle processing system 210 includes a decryptionsystem 220C. The decryption system 220C decrypts encrypted enablementcodes sent to the vehicle 101, e.g. by a service provider system 106, toremotely enable one or more optional functions on the vehicle 201. Inone embodiment, the decryption system 220C includes a decryption key220C-1 used to decrypt encrypted activation code(s). The decryptionsystem 220C can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combinationthereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a serviceprovider system 306. In the illustrated embodiment, the service providersystem 306 comprises a service provider system processing system 332coupled to a service provider (SP) communications system 334. Theservice provider processing system 322 is implemented as a statemachine. In one embodiment, the service provider processing system 322may be implemented with one or more processors coupled to one or morememories.

The service provider communications system 334 includes wireless and/orwired communications systems. The wireless communications systems mayinclude, for example, one or more of HF, VHF, cellular, satellite,IEEE802.11 compliant, AeroMACS, WiMAX, and/or any other appropriatewireless communications system(s). An example of a wired network is theInternet, although other wired networks such as dedicated T-carrierlines can be used.

In one embodiment, the service provider processing system 332 includes avehicle database 322A which includes a list of optional functions, foreach of one or more vehicles, which can be remotely enabled anddisabled. In one embodiment, the vehicle database 322A is stored in oneor more memories of the service provider processing system 322A. Thevehicle database 322A includes a list of optional functions for eachvehicle.

The service provider processing system 332 includes a service providerfunction analysis system 322B. In one embodiment, the service providervehicle function analysis system 322B ascertains, rather then thevehicle function analysis system 220B, based on weather and trafficinformation which optional functions on the vehicle 101 is beneficial tobe enabled based upon weather and traffic conditions along the vehicletrajectory of the vehicle 101. The service provider function analysissystem 322B obtains the weather and traffic information from operationssystem(s) 104, as described above and/or from other vehicle(s)). Inanother embodiment, weather and traffic information, and travel planinformation, e.g. travel path information, for each vehicle may bestored in one or more databases in the service provider processingsystem 220, including for example the vehicle database 332. An exemplarytechnique for the implementation of the service provider functionanalysis system 322B is illustrated below.

In one embodiment, the service provider function analysis system 322B orvehicle database 332A includes enablement code(s) 110. In the lattercase, the service provider function analysis system 322B obtains theenablement code(s) 110 from the vehicle database 322A. The serviceprovider function analysis system 322B transmits, through the serviceprovider communications system 334, the enablement code(s) 110 to thecorresponding vehicle to permit the vehicle to enable optional functionsthat the service provider function analysis system 322 determined isbeneficial to be enabled based upon the weather and/or traffic data.

Alternatively, the service provider function analysis system 322Breceives requests for enablement code(s) 110 from vehicle(s), e.g. froma vehicle function analysis system(s) 220B on vehicle(s), to enableoptional function(s) specified in the requests. The service providerfunction analysis system 322B confirms whether the specified optionalfunction(s) are in the functions database 220A. Upon successfulconfirmation of some or all of the optional function(s), the serviceprovider function analysis system 322B transmits, through the serviceprovider communications system 334, the enablement code(s) 110 to thecorresponding vehicle to permit the vehicle to enable optionalfunctions. Optionally, if confirmation of at least one optional functionis unsuccessful, the service provider function analysis system 322Btransmits, through the service provider communications system 334, dataindicating that such optional function(s) were not confirmed, thusindicating that no enablement code(s) would be transmitted for suchfunction(s).

Optionally, the service provider processing system 332 includes anencryption system 332C. The encryption system 332C encrypts enablementcodes to be sent to a vehicle 101. In one embodiment, the encryptionsystem 332C includes an encryption key 333C-1 used to encrypt anactivation code. The encryption system 322C can be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof.

Exemplary operation of enabling optional functionality in vehiclesystems will now be described. FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of oneembodiment of a method 400 for selectively enabling optional functionson a vehicle. For pedagogical purposes, FIG. 4 is described in terms ofremotely enabling optional functions in an aircraft (more generallyillustrated above as a vehicle 101). However, it is understood that theteachings of FIG. 4 are applicable to other types of vehicles asdiscussed above.

To the extent that the embodiment of method 400 shown in FIG. 4 isdescribed herein as being implemented in the systems shown in FIGS. 1through 3, it is to be understood that other embodiments can beimplemented in other ways. The blocks of the flow diagrams have beenarranged in a generally sequential manner for ease of explanation;however, it is to be understood that this arrangement is merelyexemplary, and it should be recognized that the processing associatedwith the methods (and the blocks shown in the Figures) can occur in adifferent order (for example, where at least some of the processingassociated with the blocks is performed in parallel and/or in anevent-driven manner).

In block 440A, receive travel plan, e.g. from crew or user (e.g. pilot)of a vehicle 101, at either the service provider system 306 or thevehicle processing system 220. The travel plan can be provided directlyto either system, or received indirectly such as through operationscenter(s) 104 such as the FAA's System Wide Information Management(SWIM) system. The travel plan includes travel path information such asthe vehicle's time of departure and arrival, departure point,destination point, and any way points in between. The travel planincludes other information, such as a vehicle identifier, as furtherdescribed elsewhere herein.

In block 440A′, determine a trajectory of a vehicle, or vehicletrajectory. The vehicle trajectory is a detailed three-dimensionalposition of the vehicle with respect to time. In another embodiment, thevehicle trajectory is generated by a processing system, e.g. by thevehicle processing system 220 and/or the SPS processing system 332, byusing the vehicle travel plan, e.g. the travel path information, and avehicle performance database for the corresponding vehicle, to determinethe vehicle's trajectory. The vehicle performance database comprisescharacteristics of the vehicle which may include, for example for anaircraft, range, gross and empty weight, rate of climb, fuel capacity,maximum speed, fuel burn rate, ground roll at takeoff and landing, andtypical indicated airspeed or true airspeed, e.g. at different flightlevels. The vehicle trajectory can be used then to determine if andwhere the vehicle will be proximate to other vehicles, darkness e.g. dueto night time, and/or weather, e.g. fog, cloud cover, temperature and/orsevere weather, along the vehicle trajectory.

Optionally, a trajectory for each of the other vehicles can analogouslydetermined by a processing system, e.g. the vehicle processing system220 or the SPS processing system 332, by using the travel plan, e.g. thetravel path information, of each of the other vehicles and a vehicleperformance database for each of the other vehicles. The trajectories ofthe vehicle and the other vehicles can be used to determine if and wherethe vehicle be proximate to other vehicles.

Optionally, in block 440B, extract the vehicle identifier from thetravel plan if function enablement analysis is being performed by aservice provider system. Optionally, also obtain information aboutvehicle user (e.g. pilot) and/or owner.

Optionally, in block 440B′, determine if the vehicle, vehicle user,and/or vehicle owner is subscriber to a service, e.g. of a serviceprovider, that permits selective enablement of optional functions inequipment on the vehicle. If no, then halt further processing. If yes,then continue as follows.

Optionally, in block 440C, identify, based upon the vehicle identifier,optional function(s) on the vehicle 101 which can be enabled by afunction analysis system, e.g. using a vehicle database 332A at theservice provider system 306 or a functions database 220A on the vehicle101. Optionally, in block 440D, obtain forecasts of weather proximate inboth time and location along the vehicle trajectory. Such informationcan be obtained from operations system(s) 104, such as the NationalDigital Forecast Database of the U.S. National Weather Service, fromother vehicles (such as through the U.S. FAA's SWIM system), or from thesensor(s) 228, such as weather RADAR, on the vehicle 101.

Optionally, in block 440E, obtain forecasts of other vehicles, e.g.aircraft, proximate in both time and location along the vehicletrajectory. Such information can be obtained from operations system(s)104, such as the U.S. FAA's SWIM system. For purposes of clarity, onlyat least one of blocks 440D and 440E need be performed. However,alternatively, both blocks can be performed.

In block 440F, determine which optional function(s) to enable, e.g.based upon at least one of the weather forecast and traffic forecastproximate in both time and location to the vehicle trajectory, and/orbase upon the departure and/or destination points of the vehicle.Examples of how to do so will be subsequently illustrated. In block440G, optionally, display, e.g. on the I/O(s) 224 such as a touch screendisplay, the determined optional function(s). In block 440H, optionally,receive selection, e.g. from a vehicle crew, as to which determinedoptional function(s) to enable.

In block 440I, generate enablement code(s), e.g. for all determinedoptional function(s) or only determined optional function(s) that wereselected. In block 440J, optionally, transmit enablement code(s) to thevehicle, e.g. from the service provider system; in one embodiment, thetransmitted enablement code(s) are received by the vehicle. In anotherembodiment, the enablement code(s) are encrypted before transmission,and decrypted upon reception.

Optionally, in block 440K, transmit enablement code(s), e.g. from aservice provider system or from a vehicle processing system tocorresponding vehicle system(s). The corresponding vehicle system(s) arethe system(s) in the vehicle that incorporate the optional function(s).In one embodiment, route, e.g. from the vehicle communications system222 or the vehicle processing system 220 over data bus(es), to theenablement code(s) to the corresponding vehicle systems.

In block 440L, enable optional function(s) in vehicle system(s)corresponding to the enablement code(s), e.g. before departure from thedestination point and/or during vehicle travel along its vehicletrajectory. In one embodiment, at least one of the enabled optionalfunction(s) is used on the vehicle. Blocks 440D through 440L may berepeated during the course of travel of a vehicle 101 from its departurepoint to its destination point.

In block 440M, disable enabled optional function(s) when the vehicle hasconcluded its travel along the vehicle trajectory. This can be donebased upon input of, e.g. the pilot, or based upon vehicle equipmentsuch as a sensor, e.g. a global satellite navigation receiver, andnavigation system that determine that travel has ended. In block 440N,optionally, determine which enabled optional function(s) were usedduring vehicle travel. The list of optional function(s) enabled and/orused during travel along the vehicle trajectory can be implemented byfeedback from the vehicle systems incorporating the enabled optionalfunctions to the vehicle processing system 220; such feedback can bestored in the functions database 220A.

In block 440O, optionally, transmit confirmation data 102 from thevehicle 101, e.g. to the service provider center 106. Confirmation data102 identifies the optional functions enabled and/or used during travelof the vehicle 101 between a departure point and a destination point. Inblock 440P, determine a fee to charge the owner or user of the vehiclefor the use of the optional functions. In block 440P, transmit invoicefor the fee, e.g., to the vehicle owner or user for the optionalfunctions enabled and/or used. In another embodiment, the invoicing canbe undertaken electronically, i.e. through e-billing.

Examples of block 440F will now be described. FIG. 5 illustrates a flowdiagram of one embodiment of a method 500 of determining which optionalfunction(s) to selectively enable. To the extent that the embodiment ofmethods 500 shown in FIG. 5 is described herein as being implemented inthe systems shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, it is to be understood thatother embodiments can be implemented in other ways. The blocks of theflow diagrams have been arranged in a generally sequential manner forease of explanation; however, it is to be understood that thisarrangement is merely exemplary, and it should be recognized that theprocessing associated with the methods (and the blocks shown in theFigures) can occur in a different order (for example, where at leastsome of the processing associated with the blocks is performed inparallel and/or in an event-driven manner). Some, none or all of thefollowing examples may be utilized in performing block 440F.

In block 550A, determine if, before the destination point, othervehicles and/or severe weather will be proximate in both time andlocation to the vehicle on vehicle trajectory. Severe weather is weathersuch as turbulence, lighting, and icing that, e.g., pilots of anaircraft would normally avoid.

If the answer to the inquiry of block 550A is yes, then optionally, inblock 550B, determine if a lateral offset system is an optional functionthat can be enabled, e.g. specified in the functions database or thevehicle database. The lateral offset system modifies a portion of thevehicle trajectory—in the latitudinal and longitudinal axes but not thealtitudinal axis to avoid proximate other aircraft or severe weather. Ifyes, then in block 440I, generate an enablement code for the lateraloffset optional function, e.g. in the vehicle or flight managementsystem. The second blocks in this and the following sets of two blocksare optional. Alternatively, it is known in advance which optionalfunction(s) are available on a particular vehicle, e.g. through adatabase, and thus only the first block (or its equivalent) is performedin such a case.

In block 550C, determine if at the destination point, the number ofother vehicles proximate in time to the arrival of the vehicle at thedestination point will exceed a threshold level. The threshold level maybe determined, on a destination point by destination point basis, by,e.g. a pilot, of the vehicle, a designer of the system to remotelyenable system functionality, or another source of information. If yes,then in block 550D, determine if a requested time of arrival (RTA)system is an optional function that can be enabled, e.g. specified inthe functions database 220A or the vehicle database 322A. The RTA systemselects an arrival time to a way point or the destination point so thatthe vehicle arrives at the destination point when it is less crowded,i.e. having a number of other vehicles proximate in time and location atthe destination point equal to or less than the threshold level.Optionally, the RTA system requests that a vehicle traffic controlcenter approve the selected arrival time. If yes, then in block 440I,generate an enablement code for the RTA system optional function, e.g.in the vehicle or flight management system.

Other optional functions dependent upon the destination point include anairport moving map, and would be implemented analogously as describedabove. That is if the corresponding vehicle system includes an airportmoving map for the destination point specified in the travel pathinformation, then the airport moving map optional function would beselected, possibly enabled, and possibly used in the vehicle prior to orupon arrival at the destination point.

In block 550E, determine if the destination point (at time of arrival)and/or the departure point (at time of departure) have noise abatementrules enforced that require vehicles to modify the engine power andvehicle trajectory when respectively arriving or departing. Thisinformation may be provided by the designer of the system or obtainremotely from an operations system. If yes, then in block 550F,determine if a requested time of a noise abatement system is an optionalfunction that can be enabled, e.g. specified in the functions database220A or the vehicle database 322A. The noise abatement system instructs,for example using the I/O(s) 224, the, e.g. pilot, to modify the vehicletrajectory and/or engine power as required at destination and/ordeparture points. If yes, then in block 440I, generate an enablementcode the noise abatement system optional function, e.g. in the vehicleor flight management system.

In block 550G, determine if temperature(s) proximate in time andlocation along the vehicle trajectory will be below threshold level(s).Threshold levels may vary by location and time. The temperature can beobtained from the sources of weather information described above. Thethreshold level can be provided by the system user, system designer, oranother source. If yes, then in block 550H, determine if a temperaturecompensation system is an optional function that can be enabled, e.g.specified in the functions database 220A or the vehicle database 322A,The temperature compensation system modifies the atmospheric pressureused by the instrument display system to indicate altitude, and by thetravel, e.g. flight, management system to manage the vehicle's travelalong the desired vehicle trajectory. If yes, then in block 440I,generate an enablement code for the temperature compensation systemoptional function, e.g. in the vehicle instrument display and/or travelmanagement system.

In block 550J, determine if along the vehicle trajectory the, e.g.pilot, will have difficulty viewing his external surroundings (i.e.environment), e.g. due nighttime darkness or inclement weather such asrain, snow, clouds and/or fog. Determination of nighttime darkness canbe ascertained from a system in the vehicle processing system, theservice provider system, or an operating system. Weather information canbe obtained from the sources described above. A synthetic vision systemcan be used to display a three dimensional rendering of the view thatthe pilot should otherwise be able to see. If yes, then in block 550K,determine if a requested time of a synthetic vision system is anoptional function that can be enabled, e.g. specified in the functionsdatabase 220A or the vehicle database 322A, If yes, then in block 440I,generate an enablement code for the synthetic vision system optionalfunction, e.g. which may be part of the instrument system.

The processing systems, e.g. the vehicle processing system 220 and/orthe SPS processing system 332, disclosed herein can be implemented usingsoftware, firmware, hardware, or any appropriate combination thereof, asknown to one of skill in the art. By way of example and not limitation,hardware components can be a computer and/or include one or moreprocessors such as microprocessors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs),microcontrollers, memory elements, interface cards, and other standardcomponents known in the art. One or more specially-designed ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and/or Field Programmable GateArrays (FPGAs) may be used in lieu of or in addition to the hardwarecomponents exemplified above. Memory elements may be implemented by oneor more of the storage or memory media exemplified below. The processingsystems described herein can also include functions with softwareprograms, firmware, or other computer readable instructions for carryingout various process tasks, calculations, and control functions describedherein.

The present method can be implemented by computer executableinstructions, such as program modules or components, which are executedby at least one processor. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, data components, data structures, algorithms, and thelike, which perform particular tasks or implement particular data types.

Instructions for carrying out the various process tasks, calculations,and generation of other data used in the operation of the methodsdescribed herein can be implemented in software, firmware, or othercomputer-readable or processor-readable instructions. These instructionsare typically stored on any appropriate computer program product thatincludes a computer readable medium used for storage of computerreadable instructions or data structures. Such a computer readablemedium can be any available media that can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer or processor, or any programmablelogic device.

Suitable computer readable media may include storage or memory mediasuch as magnetic or optical media. For example, storage or memory mediamay include magnetic media (such as conventional hard disks), opticalmedia (such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, and semiconductor memory(such as Random Access Memory (RAM) (including, but not limited to,Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random AccessMemory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate (DDR) RAM, RAMBUS Dynamic RAM (RDRAM),and Static RAM (SRAM)), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable ROM (EEPROM), and Flash memory). Combinations of the aboveare also included within the scope of computer readable media.

Example Embodiments

Example 1 includes a method, comprising: receiving a travel plan for avehicle including a travel path information; determining a vehicletrajectory using the travel path information; obtaining forecasts of atleast one of weather and other vehicles proximate in time and locationto the vehicle along the vehicle trajectory; determining, based upon atleast one of the weather forecast and the other vehicles forecast, if atleast one optional function would be beneficial to enable during vehicletravel along the vehicle trajectory; and generating at least oneenablement code corresponding to the determined at least one optionalfunction.

Example 2 includes the method of Example 1, wherein determining if theat least one optional function would be beneficial to enable based uponat least one of the weather forecast and the other vehicles forecastcomprises at least one of: (a) determining if at least one of at leastone other vehicle and severe weather will be proximate in time andlocation to the vehicle along the vehicle trajectory; (b) determining ifthe number of other vehicle(s) at the destination point when the vehiclearrives at the destination point, exceeds a threshold value; (c)determining if noise abatement rules are enforced in at least one of thedeparture point proximate to time of departure, and the destinationpoint proximate to time of arrival; (d) determining if any temperatures,proximate in time and location to the vehicle on the vehicle trajectory,are below a threshold level; (e) determining if vehicle crew will havedifficulty viewing the external environment due to at least one of timeand weather conditions proximate to the location of the vehicle alongthe vehicle trajectory; and (f) determining if the vehicle is equippedwith a moving map system for the destination point.

Example 3 includes the method of any of Examples 1-2, furthercomprising; transmitting, from the vehicle, confirmation datarepresentative of at least one of at least one optional function enabledalong the vehicle trajectory, and at least one optional function enabledand used along the vehicle trajectory; determining a fee based upon theat least one of the at least one optional function enabled along thevehicle trajectory, and the at least one optional function enabled andused along the vehicle trajectory; and transmitting an invoice for thefee.

Example 4 includes the method of any of Examples 1-3, further comprisingextracting an identifier of the vehicle from the travel plan; andidentifying at least one optional function on the vehicle based upon thevehicle identifier.

Example 5 includes the method of any of Examples 1-4, further comprisingdisplaying determined at least one optional function; and receiving aselection of determined at least one optional function.

Example 6 includes the method of any of Examples 1-5, further comprisingtransmitting the at least one generated enablement code to the vehicle.

Example 7 includes the method of any of Examples 1-6, furthercomprising: enabling the determined at least one optional function atleast one of (a) before departure from the destination point, and (b)along the vehicle trajectory; and disabling the determined at least oneoptional function at the conclusion of the vehicle trajectory.

Example 8 includes a method, comprising: receiving at least oneenablement code at a vehicle; transmitting the at least one generatedenablement code to at least one corresponding system of the vehicle;enabling the determined at least one optional function at least one of(a) before departure from the destination point, and (b) along a vehicletrajectory; and disabling the determined at least one optional functionat the conclusion of the vehicle trajectory.

Example 9 includes the method of Example 8, further comprising;transmitting confirmation data representative of at least one of atleast one optional function enabled along the vehicle trajectory, and atleast one optional function enabled and used along the vehicletrajectory; determining a fee based upon the at least one of the atleast one optional function enabled along the vehicle trajectory, andthe at least one optional function enabled and used along the vehicletrajectory; and transmitting an invoice for the fee.

Example 10 includes the method of any of Examples 8-9, furthercomprising displaying determined at least one optional function; andreceiving a selection of determined at least one optional function.

Example 11 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storing aprogram causing a computer to execute a process to determine if at leastone optional function should be enabled in a vehicle, the processcomprising: receiving a travel plan for a vehicle including a travelpath information; determining a vehicle trajectory using the travel pathinformation; obtaining forecasts of at least one of weather and othervehicles proximate in time and location to the vehicle along the vehicletrajectory; determining, based upon at least one of the weather forecastand the other vehicles forecast, if at least one optional function wouldbe beneficial to enable during vehicle travel along the vehicletrajectory; and generating at least one enablement code corresponding tothe determined at least one optional function.

Example 12 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofExample 11, wherein determining if the at least one optional functionwould be beneficial to enable based upon at least one of the weatherforecast and the other vehicles forecast comprises at least one of: (a)determining if at least one of at least one other vehicle and severeweather will be proximate in time and location to the vehicle along thevehicle trajectory; (b) determining if the number of other vehicle(s) atthe destination point when the vehicle arrives at the destination point,exceeds a threshold value; (c) determining if noise abatement rules areenforced in at least one of the departure point proximate to time ofdeparture, and the destination point proximate to time of arrival; (d)determining if any temperatures, proximate in time and location to thevehicle along the vehicle trajectory, are below a threshold level; (e)determining if vehicle crew will have difficulty viewing the externalenvironment due to at least one of time and weather conditions proximateto the location of the vehicle along the vehicle trajectory; and (f)determining if the vehicle is equipped with a moving map system for thedestination point.

Example 13 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium of anyof Examples 11-12, wherein the process further comprises; transmitting,from the vehicle, confirmation data representative of at least one of atleast one optional function enabled along the vehicle trajectory, and atleast one optional function enabled and used along the vehicletrajectory; determining a fee based upon the at least one of the atleast one optional function enabled along the vehicle trajectory, andthe at least one optional function enabled and used along the vehicletrajectory; and transmitting an invoice for the fee.

Example 14 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium of anyof Examples 11-13, wherein the process further comprises extracting anidentifier of the vehicle from the travel plan; and identifying at leastone optional function on the vehicle based upon the vehicle identifier.

Example 15 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium of anyof Examples 11-14, wherein the process further comprises displayingdetermined at least one optional function; and receiving a selection ofdetermined at least one optional function.

Example 16 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium of anyof Examples 11-15, wherein the process further comprises transmittingthe at least one generated enablement code to the vehicle.

Example 17 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium of anyof Examples 11-16, wherein the process further comprises: transmittingthe at least one generated enablement code to at least one correspondingsystem of the vehicle; enabling the determined at least one optionalfunction at least one of (a) before departure from the destinationpoint, and (b) during the vehicle trajectory; and disabling thedetermined at least one optional function at the conclusion of thevehicle trajectory.

Example 18 includes a neon-transitory computer readable medium storing aprogram causing a computer to execute a process to enable at least oneoptional function in a vehicle, the process comprising: receiving atleast one enablement code at a vehicle; transmitting the at least onegenerated enablement code to at least one corresponding system of thevehicle; enabling the determined at least one optional function at leastone of (a) before departure from the destination point, and (b) during avehicle trajectory; and disabling the determined at least one optionalfunction at the conclusion of the vehicle trajectory.

Example 19 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofExample 18, wherein the process further comprises; transmittingconfirmation data representative of at least one of at least oneoptional function enabled along the vehicle trajectory, and at least oneoptional function enabled and used along the vehicle trajectory;determining a fee based upon the at least one of the at least oneoptional function enabled along the vehicle trajectory, and the at leastone optional function enabled and used along the vehicle trajectory; andtransmitting an invoice for the fee.

Example 20 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium of anyof Examples 18-19, wherein the process further comprises displayingdetermined at least one optional function; and receiving a selection ofdetermined at least one optional function.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its essential characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changesthat come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method, comprising: receiving a travel plan for avehicle including a travel path information; determining a vehicletrajectory using the travel path information; obtaining forecasts ofweather or other vehicles proximate in time and location to the vehiclealong the vehicle trajectory; determining, based upon the weather or theother vehicles, whether to enable at least one optional function duringvehicle travel along the vehicle trajectory; in response to adetermination to enable the at least one optional function, generatingat least one enablement code corresponding to the at least one optionalfunction; and transmitting the at least one enablement code to thevehicle.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the determining whether toenable the at least one optional function includes at least one of:determining whether at least one of the other vehicles or the weatherwill be proximate in time and location to the vehicle along the vehicletrajectory; determining whether a number of destination vehicle(s) at adestination point, when the vehicle arrives at the destination point,exceeds a threshold value; determining whether noise abatement rules areenforced in at least one of a departure point proximate to a time ofdeparture, and the destination point proximate to a time of arrival;determining whether any temperatures, proximate in time and location tothe vehicle on the vehicle trajectory, are below a threshold level;determining whether vehicle crew will have difficulty viewing anexternal environment due to at least one of time and/or weatherconditions proximate to the location of the vehicle along the vehicletrajectory; and/or determining whether the vehicle is equipped with amoving map system for the destination point.
 23. The method of claim 21,further comprising: receiving, from the vehicle, confirmation datarepresentative of at least one of: the at least one optional functionbeing enabled along the vehicle trajectory, and the at least oneoptional function being enabled and used along the vehicle trajectory;determining a fee based upon the at least one of the at least oneoptional function being enabled along the vehicle trajectory, and the atleast one optional function being enabled and used along the vehicletrajectory; and generating an invoice for the fee.
 24. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the determining whether to enable the at least oneoptional function includes: extracting an identifier of the vehicle fromthe travel plan; identifying optional function(s) on the vehicle basedupon the identifier; and determining whether to enable one of theoptional function(s) based upon the weather or the other vehicles. 25.The method of claim 21, further comprising causing a display of thevehicle to display the at least one optional function so that a user mayinput a selection of one or more optional functions of the at least oneoptional function to enable the one or more optional functions.
 26. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising, before the determining whetherto enable the at least one optional function: determining whether thevehicle, a user of the vehicle, and/or an owner of the vehicle is asubscriber to a service that permits selective enablement of optionalfunctions in equipment on the vehicle; in response to a determinationthat the vehicle, the user of the vehicle, and/or the owner of thevehicle is the subscriber to the service that permits selectiveenablement of optional functions, determining whether to enable the atleast one optional function.
 27. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising: remotely enabling the at least one optional function beforedeparture from a destination point or along the vehicle trajectory; andremotely disabling the at least one optional function at a conclusion ofthe vehicle trajectory.
 28. A system, the system comprising: at leastone memory storing instructions; and at least one processor executingthe instructions to perform a process, the process including:transmitting, to a service, a travel plan for a vehicle including atravel path information; receiving, from the service, at least oneenablement code; and enabling at least one optional function code basedon the at least one enablement code, wherein the service is configuredto: determine a vehicle trajectory using the travel path information;obtain forecasts of weather or other vehicles proximate in time andlocation to the vehicle along the vehicle trajectory; determine, basedupon the weather or the other vehicles, whether to enable the at leastone optional function during vehicle travel along the vehicletrajectory; in response to a determination to enable the at least oneoptional function, generate the at least one enablement codecorresponding to the at least one optional function; and transmit the atleast one enablement code.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein, todetermine whether to enable the at least one optional function, theservice is further configured to: determine whether at least one of theother vehicles or the weather will be proximate in time and location tothe vehicle along the vehicle trajectory; determine whether a number ofdestination vehicle(s) at a destination point, when the vehicle arrivesat the destination point, exceeds a threshold value; determine whethernoise abatement rules are enforced in at least one of a departure pointproximate to a time of departure, and the destination point proximate toa time of arrival; determine whether any temperatures, proximate in timeand location to the vehicle on the vehicle trajectory, are below athreshold level; determine whether vehicle crew will have difficultyviewing an external environment due to at least one of time and/orweather conditions proximate to the location of the vehicle along thevehicle trajectory; and/or determine whether the vehicle is equippedwith a moving map system for the destination point.
 30. The system ofclaim 28, wherein the process further includes: transmitting, to theservice, confirmation data representative of at least one of: the atleast one optional function being enabled along the vehicle trajectory,and the at least one optional function being enabled and used along thevehicle trajectory; and wherein the service is further configured to:determine a fee based upon the at least one of the at least one optionalfunction being enabled along the vehicle trajectory, and the at leastone optional function being enabled and used along the vehicletrajectory; and generate an invoice for the fee.
 31. The system of claim28, wherein, to determine whether to enable the at least one optionalfunction, the service is further configured to: extract an identifier ofthe vehicle from the travel plan; identify optional function(s) on thevehicle based upon the identifier; and determine whether to enable oneof the optional function(s) based upon the weather or the othervehicles.
 32. The system of claim 28, wherein the process furtherincludes, before enabling at least one optional function code based onthe at least one enablement code: displaying the at least one optionalfunction; receiving a selection of one or more optional functions of theat least one optional function; and enabling the one or more optionalfunctions.
 33. The system of claim 28, wherein the service is furtherconfigured to, before the determining whether to enable the at least oneoptional function: determine whether the vehicle, a user of the vehicle,and/or an owner of the vehicle is a subscriber to a service that permitsselective enablement of optional functions in equipment on the vehicle;in response to a determination that the vehicle, the user of thevehicle, and/or the owner of the vehicle is the subscriber to theservice that permits selective enablement of optional functions,determine whether to enable the at least one optional function.
 34. Thesystem of claim 28, wherein the process further includes: enabling theat least one optional function before departure from a destination pointor along the vehicle trajectory; and disabling the at least one optionalfunction at a conclusion of the vehicle trajectory.
 35. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to perform a method, the methodcomprising: receiving a travel plan for a vehicle including a travelpath information; determining a vehicle trajectory using the travel pathinformation; obtaining forecasts of weather or other vehicles proximatein time and location to the vehicle along the vehicle trajectory;determining, based upon the weather or the other vehicles, whether toenable at least one optional function during vehicle travel along thevehicle trajectory; in response to a determination to enable the atleast one optional function, generating at least one enablement codecorresponding to the at least one optional function; and transmittingthe at least one enablement code to the vehicle.
 36. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the determining whether toenable the at least one optional function includes at least one of:determining whether at least one of the other vehicles or the weatherwill be proximate in time and location to the vehicle along the vehicletrajectory; determining whether a number of destination vehicle(s) at adestination point, when the vehicle arrives at the destination point,exceeds a threshold value; determining whether noise abatement rules areenforced in at least one of a departure point proximate to a time ofdeparture, and the destination point proximate to a time of arrival;determining whether any temperatures, proximate in time and location tothe vehicle on the vehicle trajectory, are below a threshold level;determining whether vehicle crew will have difficulty viewing anexternal environment due to at least one of time and/or weatherconditions proximate to the location of the vehicle along the vehicletrajectory; and/or determining whether the vehicle is equipped with amoving map system for the destination point.
 37. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 35, the method further includes:receiving, from the vehicle, confirmation data representative of atleast one of: the at least one optional function being enabled along thevehicle trajectory, and the at least one optional function being enabledand used along the vehicle trajectory; determining a fee based upon theat least one of the at least one optional function being enabled alongthe vehicle trajectory, and the at least one optional function beingenabled and used along the vehicle trajectory; and generating an invoicefor the fee.
 38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim35, wherein the determining whether to enable the at least one optionalfunction includes: extracting an identifier of the vehicle from thetravel plan; identifying optional function(s) on the vehicle based uponthe identifier; and determining whether to enable one of the optionalfunction(s) based upon the weather or the other vehicles.
 39. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the methodfurther includes, before the determining whether to enable the at leastone optional function: determining whether the vehicle, a user of thevehicle, and/or an owner of the vehicle is a subscriber to a servicethat permits selective enablement of optional functions in equipment onthe vehicle; in response to a determination that the vehicle, the userof the vehicle, and/or the owner of the vehicle is the subscriber to theservice that permits selective enablement of optional functions,determining whether to enable the at least one optional function. 40.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein themethod further includes: remotely enabling the at least one optionalfunction before departure from a destination point or along the vehicletrajectory; and remotely disabling the at least one optional function ata conclusion of the vehicle trajectory.